In the context of the oil and gas industry, the term “upstream” refers to the exploration and production stage of the energy lifecycle. This encompasses all activities related to the search for potential underground or underwater oil and gas reserves, drilling of exploratory wells, and the subsequent drilling and operation of the wells that recover and bring the crude oil and/or raw natural gas to the surface.

Upstream operations are the first link in the value chain in the energy sector. These activities are characterized by high risk and significant investment in terms of both financial resources and technology, as the exploration for hydrocarbon reservoirs involves geological surveying, seismic analysis, and the potential drilling of test wells. Once exploration has yielded a commercially viable source, development begins to establish wells, oil platforms, and other infrastructure necessary to extract the raw materials.

After upstream processes, the oil and gas industry proceeds to the ‘midstream’ segment, which focuses on the transportation, storage, and wholesale marketing of crude or refined petroleum products, and then the ‘downstream’ segment which involves refining, processing, and purifying raw materials, as well as marketing and distribution of the products derived from oil and gas.

For further information on the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, the following external resources can be consulted:

1. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) provides detailed reports and data on various aspects of the energy industry, including upstream oil and gas activities: https://www.eia.gov/

2. The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is a global professional organization that offers resources, research, and information related to various aspects of the oil and gas industry, including upstream operations: https://www.spe.org/